Tuesday, 12 August 2008

They may just look like two teenage students hanging around the void deck of Block 429, Pasir Ris Drive 6, but by all accounts their intentions are much more entrepreneurial than academic.

They have been frequenting a stone table at the block, wearing everyday shorts and t-shirts and toting common sling bags and haversacks, and seem to be meeting friends in school uniforms.

But actually, they have illegal smokes and other items for sale to passers-by.

According to sources, their drug of choice on special, are known as 'power pills'. These pills are sold in clear bags.

Many residents, including worried parents, have been voicing their concern over the activities of the two youths.One parent said, "I was told hard stuff like Ecstasy and Ketamine are also being sold here. Personally, I have not seen the drugs, but a lot of people talk about it. Once, I sat under the block and was approached by a man in his 20s looking for Su (street name for Subutex). Do I look like a drug dealer?"

Also according to residents, this is not the first time such activties have gone on in the area. "There used to be a group of boys who sold cigarettes and sex pills just across the road at the park bench (at Block 444). They disappeared when they were exposed in the newspapers."

It is claimed that these teenagers under Block 429 are the same ones. One resident approached them and told them not to do business there, but his requests have gone unheeded.

The boys start trading each day at 3pm, and continue with their cut-price deals until around midnight.

They buy plastic bags of coffee or tea which they hang at stone the table and sit and talk. Throughout their business hours, others youths sit with them, and sometimes, the two go off for a 'brisk walk' before returning.

After being waved down by the 'dealers', a group of four male students was watched while they approached them, but many of them soon disbursed after learning what was on sale.

One tired-looking youth who had just bought some of the pills, told investigators from the New Paper, "They won't anyhow sell it to you. If you come with me, I can recommend (you to them). They will sell you Power (pills) cheaper."

The yellow pills are being sold for about $40 for 10 pieces. The youth showed the investigators 20 of the pills in a clear bag, and they obtained close-up photographs from a hidden camera.

The picture shows that each pill has the letters INF and DMF and the number 15 embossed on it.

Advice from the same youth, "Don't take one or two because no kick. Take five or more, and you will feel shiok. It's the same high as Erimin 5, only cheaper."

It is believed that the "power pills" could be a depressant similar to Erimin 5, which is a powerful hypnotic drug used to treat people with sleep difficulties.

If this is trhs case, the 'power pills' can cause loss of consciousness and difficulties in coordinating bodily functions.

The New Paper informed the authorities about the boys' activities.

A spokesman for the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said, "Given the possible involvement of illegal drug syndicates, HSA will work with the relevant enforcement agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau and the police to look further into the reports of illegal activities in those areas."

The other danger is that even if the pills are not illegal substances, it is still possible that they contain toxic ingredients which is also a very significant danger.

WHAT IS ERIMIN 5 (CHEMICAL MAKEUP)?

Erimin Nimetazepam is a benzodiazepine originated from Japan it is said to be invented after the chemical nitrazepam was invented in the western countries. It has a faster onset and a shorter half-life compared to Nitrazepam, making it a drug of potential abuse.

Nimetazepam is distributed more rapidly in the brain than its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam). The brain concentration of the active metabolites of the former is about twice that of Nitrazepam at 1-hour after oral administration. At least four kinds of reactions is involved in the biotransformation of nimetazepam and its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam) (demethylation at N-1,hydroxylation at C-3, reduction of the nitro group at C-7 to the amino group and subsequent acetylation of the amino group. The 1-N-demethylation of nimetazepam is slow compared with the other three reactions. Nimetazepam is rapidly hydroxylated at C-3, while the 3-hydroxylation of its desmethyl derivative (nitrazepam) is very slow. The reduction of the nitro group at C-7 and subsequent acetylation are important routes for the excretion of these drugs.

Put simply, Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) can and is being used as a VERY DANGEROUS recreational chemical.

ABOUT ERIMIN IN SINGAPORE

It first appeared on the local drug scene some years ago, when more than 90,000 pills were seized. Now, the tranquilliser Erimin-5, or nimetazepam, has become the drug of choice among many abusers. Many of the 793 drug abusers arrested last year were on Erimin-5, according to the CNB’s annual drugs report.Erimin-5 had displaced the previous year's favoured drug, ketamine. Testing for Erimin-5 was begun in January 2004. Although some people still think that Erimin-5 is not detectable, the truth is Nimetazepam is classified under the Benzodiazepine family, and when an accused tests positive from the Instant urine test for benzodiazepines, the urine sample will be taken to the Health Science Authority for analysis of the chemical .

According to http://www.erimin.com/, in the streets an Erimin-5 tablet costs between S$6 (RM13.80) and S$8 (RM18.40), while 1g of ketamine costs between S$40 (RM92) and S$50 (RM115).

Unlike so-called “party drugs” like Ecstasy and ketamine, Erimin-5 is a depressant and seen as a “soft” drug. It can also be obtained easily compaired to other drugs.

In Singapore Erimin is Scheduled under the Misuse of drug act (Chapter 185)It is scheduled under class A which carries a Mandory Jail therm. A trafficker can face up to a maximum of 10 years in prison and 5 Strokes of the cane.

A person convicted of illegal possession or consumption of Nimetazepam will face up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or both.